Summary : South to the Antarctic Circle and beyond lies a remote region of rare beauty. The crystalline waters are rich in whales, penguins, leopard seals, giant brittle stars and huge tubeworms. Sea kayakers paddle in waters rich in wildlife, and hopefully all will visit haunting historic sites amidst stunning scenery that few will ever see. Everyone will revel in the beauty of ice-capped peaks that rise more than 1000 meters from Crystal Sound and, conditions willing, remote Marguerite Bay.

You make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders. Your expert guides will lead paddlers amongst the ice. Zodiac cruises, whale watching and a continental landing are on your wish list; flexibility is the key. You may visit scientific stations and historic sites, but your focus is close encounters with nature.

Dawn greets you King George Island. You enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas.

Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Flights: $1,200 per person Mandatory flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, or reverse.

Mandatory Travel Insurance: All guests are required to have emergency medical evacuation travel insurance coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The policy provider, policy number and emergency contact phone number must be provided prior to departure date. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends at least $200,000 Emergency Medical/Evacuation coverage for Antarctic trips which includes coverage for cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.

Sea Kayaking Option: $995 per person Traveling in these sturdy, easy-handling, reliable kayaks is an exciting, low impact way to explore the stunning bays and wildlife breeding grounds along the Peninsula. If you wish to take this option, please advise us when you make your booking as numbers are limited. Please note, some sea kayaking experience is necessary.

Included: Cabin accommodation on the ship; all meals onboard; all shore excursions; lectures and guide services; boots (for loan onboard); medical service of the resident medical officer onboard; port taxes and service charges.

Not Included: Airfare; Mandatory flights from King George Island to Punta Arenas: $1,200 per person; accommodation or transfers before or after the cruise; fuel surcharge may apply; optional sea kayaking activities, items of a personal nature; travel insurance; and gratuity to the ship's crew is at your discretion.

Return flight: (Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, or reverse) In case the return flight from Antarctica to Punta Arenas experiences a delay, passengers on board the ship will continue cruising near King George Island, until the return flight to Punta Arenas can be arranged.

Aircraft for Antarctic flights: The decision over which aircraft will be used for the Antarctica Fly and Cruise program is at the sole discretion of the tour operator. In case of unfavorable conditions or other circumstances beyond the tour operator’s control, either at the point of origin and/or at the destination, the tour operator reserves the right to fly different aircraft than the one described in the program information material.

Polar Pioneer

Overview : This 54-passenger Russian research vessel was built in Finland as an ice-strengthened research ship. For many years, she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000, she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for expedition cruising. This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, maneuverability and small number of cabins. Her highly experienced Russian captain and crew are among the best ice navigators in the world. Public areas include a lounge, bar, library, sauna, dining room, and lecture room. Views are excellent from the large open decks.

Cabin Description : Twin and triple cabins, with choice of shared or private facilities. All cabins are outside cabins with ample storage space and a window or porthole. Cabins are simple, more functional than fancy, simple yet comfortable. Photo Credit: Aurora Expeditions

Linda Z.

Balaklava, South Australia Feb 2013

Antarctic Peninsula with Circle Crossing

Research Ship
Polar Pioneer

The voyage on the Polar Pioneer was amazing! The tour arrangements and information beforehand was excellent. On board, the expedition leaders and crew were wonderful and went out of their way to give us the best possible time and were always cheerful and helpful. They must have worked really long hours and we appreciated everything they did. How the chefs produced such beautiful meals and snacks I shall never know.

Karen H.

Sydney, Australia Jan 2013

Antarctic Peninsula

Research Ship
Polar Pioneer

Loved, loved, loved my recent trip to Antarctica! Antarctica was amazing, beautiful, spectacular, cold, fragile, powerful, vast, and humbling. Even those words are not adequate enough. Super special experience. I want to go back! Thank you to everyone.

Julia T.

Somerset, England Dec 2012

Antarctic Peninsula

Research Ship
Polar Pioneer

We had the most memorable Extreme Zodiac cruise pushing the ice aside. Without a doubt, the service was excellent. The naturalists excelled in their lectures and we enjoyed numerous wildlife encounters. Overall a very positive experience and we would book future trips with ExpeditionTrips.

Cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellation will take effect upon receipt by the shipping company of your written notice. Cancellation penalties are based on the number of days prior to departure that the cancellation was received and are subject to change without notice. We strongly suggest you obtain trip cancellation insurance. Failure to secure a valid passport, visa, or air arrangements does not waive this policy.

Penalities:91 days or more: Forfeit $1,250 deposit, however you may transfer it towards a different voyage for a fee of $250. Transfers are subject to availability and are only valid on voyages that depart within 12 months from date of transfer. You must pay the difference between the original booked price and the price of any transferred booking including the new deposit amount.